Nguyễn Thị Thanh Thuỷ (Thuỷ) is a farmer from Vietnam. She is proudly holding her harvest of the “Kim Hoang Hau” melon variety. "We grow for you, and we produce from our hearts." This is the motto that guides Thuỷ, a primary school teacher who has embraced farming together with her husband, Lê Văn Long (Long), in 2019. Thuỷ strongly values the lessons she has learnt from vegetable farming such as care, effort, and resilience. Balancing teaching and farming, she finds joy in working on the land and being able to share her findings with her students. Thuỷ and Long's success in growing melons has brought their family financial stability and has enabled them to fund their daughter's university education.
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East-West Seed is the leading tropical vegetable seed company, dedicated to improving the lives of farmers with better seeds and better farming practices.
What We Do
We specialize in breeding, producing, and distributing highquality tropical vegetable seeds. Our seeds are adapted to local markets and growing conditions, and we share innovative farming practices to help farmers grow better crops, get better yields, and earn better income.
East-West Seed
Message from the East-West Seed Leadership
Farmers at the Heart of Everything We Do
At East-West Seed (EWS), our commitment to enriching the lives of farmers informs every decision we make. Now in the second year of our five-year PACE Strategy, 2023 has been a year of learning, growing, and deepening our connection to our purpose.
The essence of PACE is to extend the East-West Seed promise to provide innovative seeds and services to many more farmers who remain underserved in our existing markets and to explore new regions. This year, we saw growth and notable developments in our emerging markets, particularly in Africa and also in several markets in Indochina. We also established a hub in the Netherlands to better connect our products from Asia to our emerging markets in Africa and Latin America.
Our commitment to innovation remains strong and is guided by a deep understanding of the needs of the farmers we serve. We established new R&D locations in Guatemala, Thailand, India, and Indonesia. This year, our new varieties also performed very well, such as the hybrid bitter gourd Galaxy Max in the Philippines, the hybrid tomato Dhahabu in Tanzania, the hybrid hot pepper Dhoon in India, and both the hybrid watermelon Red Crimson and hybrid corn Niew Wan Chompoo in Thailand. We are also continually advancing seed technology to enhance the quality and performance of our seeds, ensuring they truly meet the needs of our farmers and markets.
Through the dedicated work of our commercial and Knowledge Transfer teams, we have trained more than 160,000 farmers in Africa and Asia on sustainable and profitable farming techniques and helped them recognize the benefits of improved seed varieties.
Going beyond the seed, we continue to expand our advisory services to meet the evolving needs of our farmers, improving both our in-person services while expanding our digital outreach to connect with more farmers and support them with their challenges due to climate change. In India and Nigeria, we served 3,000 farmers through our WhatsApp-based interactive bot that delivers critical information on pest and disease control and weather forecasts.
We are working diligently to make our farming practices more sustainable. These include full implementation of crop rotation in
our farms, training farmers across our seed production countries on responsible disposal of plastic waste, converting our plastic wastes to useful trellises, and reducing single-use plastic in our offices. Our commitment to sustainable packaging is fully realized in India, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Our transition to green energy, marked by our widespread adoption of rooftop solar installations, also earned us the ESG Business Award for Adoption of Renewable Energy this year.
The foundation of our success is our people, culture, values and mission. We invested significantly in talents and new people to support our expansion and professionalize the company. As we move forward, we are guided by our redefined core values: purposeful, pioneering, nurturing, trustworthy. This refinement of our values underscores our enhanced commitment to our farmers, partners, communities, and employees.
Our company achieved overall sales growth of 6% in 2023. While we faced headwinds due to the continued volatility of input prices starting in 2022, affecting the Cost of Goods in 2023, we saw a strong performance from emerging markets in Africa and Latin America with a sales growth of more than 30 percent.
We are humbled by what we have accomplished together, driven by our clear purpose to enhance the lives of farmers through better seeds and better knowledge. This commitment remains at the heart of who we are, uniting us across regions and nationalities, and driving us to face each day with enthusiasm and resilience.
Ard Groot Chairman of the Board
JC Filippi Chief Executive Officer
Meet our Supervisory Board
Meet our Managing Board
Ard Groot Chair
JC Filippi Chief Executive Officer
Thibaut Terlon Chief Finance Officer
Katalin Pakozdi Chief R&D Officer
Cathlea Barote Chief People Officer
Mary Sue Rogers Vice Chair
Maaike Groot Member Ivan Chung Member
Rutger Groot Member Douwe Zijp Member Franck Berger Member
From our humble beginnings in Asia over 40 years ago, East-West Seed has expanded globally, now serving farmers across different continents.
As we continue to evolve, we recognize the importance of adapting to the changing world and our growing role within it. As we look to the future, it is clear that our culture is a crucial element to our success. It is what sets us apart from the competition, our unique competitive edge that cannot be replicated.
To strengthen our culture, we launched the Culture Forward project across all East-West Seed locations. A key aspect of this initiative was redefining our core values, which involved extensive discussions with our founder Simon Groot and and other members of the Groot family, our board members, and employees to capture the essence of what makes East-West Seed distinctive and to identify what adjustments were necessary to propel us into the future.
These discussions resulted to our four redefined core values – the values that we believe can help us in #ElevatingtoNewHeights. Our refreshed culture, deeply rooted in these core values, is crucial as we strive to achieve our vision of becoming the most trusted name in tropical vegetable seeds globally.
Mission Vision
Our mission is to provide innovative seeds and services that help improve the livelihoods of tropical vegetable farmers and promote sustainable farming and business practices
Core Values
Be the leading and most trusted tropical vegetable seed company in the world
Purposeful
We put farmers at the heart of everything we do
Pioneering
We achieve our purpose through innovation
Nurturing
We care for each other, our communities and the environment
Trustworthy
We are a reliable partner to all our stakeholders
“Better Seeds ”
Make a Better
World
- Dr. Simon N. Groot, East-West Seed Founder and World Food Prize Laureate 2019
How do better seeds make a better world? Dr. Simon N. Groot shares our journey alongside smallholder farmers and how East-West Seed is helping transform lives and communities with “better seeds, better genetics, better farming systems, and better knowledge.”
Scan to Watch Video:
Simon Groot receives a National Honor from the Philippines
The Philippine government recognized East-West Seed Founder Simon Groot’s contributions to the Philippines by conferring upon him the Order of Sikatuna, one of the country’s most distinguished diplomatic honors.
Dr. Groot was lauded for his dedicated efforts in enhancing relations between various nations and the Philippines and his contributions to agriculture, particularly in empowering Filipino farmers. He is the first Dutch private citizen to be conferred with this accolade from the Philippines.
Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya presents the Order of Sikatuna award to Dr. Simon N. Groot at the Philippine Embassy in The Hague on October 4, 2023.
East-West Seed Around the World
80 CROPS 653
VARIETIES
Offered to Farmers
Cucurbits
Solanaceae
Direct Presence in 14 COUNTRIES
Thailand, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Guatemala, Tanzania, Nigeria, Mexico, Brazil
Amaryllidaceae
Exports to 83 MARKETS
Brassicas
Legumes
22 R&D LOCATIONS
in 9 Countries
People by Function
Flowers
Miscellaneous
166,531 FARMERS
Trained in 2023
through the EWS Knowledge Transfer (EWS-KT) Foundation
Nationalities
Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, El Salvador, France, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vietnam
*permanent and temporary, without third party
Our Top Crops
Top New Products
Sweet Pink and White Corn
A game-changer in Thailand's waxy corn market, “Niew Wan Chompoo” hybrid corn features distinctive pink and white kernels that maintain their sticky, sweet taste hours after boiling. This medium-sized variety caters to the preferences of northeastern Thai consumers and stands out for its superior eating quality and longer shelf life. Because of its distinctive product qualities, such as its vivid appearance and delicious taste, it has become a very popular variety nationwide. A street in Khon Kaen Province was even named after this corn due to its local popularity.
Big and Bold Bitter Gourd
“Galaxy Max” hybrid bitter gourd addresses the problem of Namamarako (NMK), a disorder causing a maleness tendency in plants that severely reduces female flowers and impacts fruit yield. This variety not only resists the disease but also matures quickly, ready to harvest just 40 days after planting. Its prolific nature ensures a large output of big, uniform, and dark green fruits, making it a popular choice among Filipino farmers.
Titan Tomatoes
The "Dhahabu" hybrid tomato excels in Tanzania, known for its large, elongated blocky fruits that can weigh up to 180 grams each. These tomatoes are not only known for their size but also for their resilience, effectively withstanding extreme heat and resisting prevalent plant diseases such as Bacterial Wilt and Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV). These tomatoes are also tough enough for long-distance transportation, with shelf life for up to 21 days.
The “Class A” Watermelon
The “Red Crimson” hybrid watermelon addresses key challenges in watermelon cultivation including fruit setting, yield, and post-harvest longevity. This variety is favored by farmers for its high yield of Class A fruits that feature dense, red, crispy flesh with a clear pattern and strong skin, reducing damage during transportation. Farmers commend its ease of cultivation and the premium quality of fruits which sell well in markets, making it a valuable asset for Thai farmers.
Green,
Glossy, and Gutsy Pepper
The “Dhoom” hybrid hot pepper tackles the persistent issue of Leaf Curl Virus (LCV) in India, which many other varieties fail to resist. In addition, it offers farmers early harvesting times, good virus tolerance, and fruits with excellent glossiness and shelf life. The attractive dark green color and superior fruit weight enhance market appeal, helping farmers secure better prices.
our Impact
As the global population heads towards 9 billion by 2050, the demand for food is expected to rise by 70%
We must find ways to increase food production in a sustainable way and enhance food security for all.
We are committed to reaching more farmers globally and giving them access to good quality seeds of improved vegetable varieties that can increase their productivity and income and help improve the availability of nutritious food for a growing population.
Helping Unlock the Potential of African Farmers
Africa has 25% of the world's arable land, yet just 10% of the world's agricultural output comes from it, highlighting the continent's vast untapped potential.
Smallholder farmers play a critical role in Africa’s food system, producing 80% of the continent's food. However, most of them struggle with low productivity and income. Providing farmers with access to quality seeds and better farming knowledge is essential not only for improving their lives but also for addressing food insecurity and nutrition issues across the continent.
East-West Seed began with small steps in Africa, the secondlargest continent after Asia. We started in Tanzania through a joint breeding project in 2008 called Afrisem. Fifteen years later, we are now operating in six countries, with our seeds reaching smallholder farmers across 21 out of 54 countries on the continent.
Research and Development We are investing in local breeding programs and enhancing the capabilities of local research staff. We have two R&D sites in Africa, located in Tanzania and Benin, with a unique focus on indigenous crops like African eggplant and hairy nightshade. As of 2023, we have released 17 varieties on 10 crops in East Africa and 135 varieties on 34 crops in West Africa.
Knowledge Transfer Through East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT) and partners, we are also sharing sustainable cultivation practices with farmers in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda using the premise ‘seeing is believing’ to help improve their productivity and profitability. We conduct technical demonstrations and intensive hands-on training on crop production, pest management, soil management and farm and business planning, coupled with radio programs and learning farms in South Sudan, Ghana and Uganda to reach more farmers. Our knowledge transfer work on the continent started with the 6-year multistakeholder SEVIA project in Tanzania in 2014 and subsequently transitioned to EWS-KT in 2018. As of 2023, we have been able to train 94,094 African farmers.
Building Strong Relationships We are also building strong relationships across the value chain including the public sector, ranging from academic institutions to regional and local seed trade and farmer associations to ensure long-term cooperation. We are collaborating with over 20 African associations. In East Africa, we have trained more than 500 farmers in rural areas on improved vegetable production techniques through our partnership with national farmer organization MVIWATA.
East-West Seed Nigeria hosts International Field Day
In October 2023, East-West Seed Nigeria held an International Field Day attended by over 600 guests from 12 states within Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, six African countries, and Europe. The event showcased 24 crops and 45 varieties, highlighting the impact of quality seeds and good agricultural practices on improving smallholder farmers' yields and incomes.
Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya
Deepening our Roots in Latin America
Latin America plays a key role in feeding the world. The region spans 33 countries over an extensive area of 2 billion hectares, with 38% of the available area used for agriculture. About 25% of the world's exports of agricultural and fishery products come from this region.
This year, East-West Seed established a local entity in Mexico. This is the third country in the region where we have a local entity, in addition to Guatemala and Brazil.
Currently we are focusing on the main crops in Latin America such as tomato, onion, sweet pepper, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, melon, watermelon, zucchini, papaya, and cucumber.
Onion Tomato
Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Togo, Benin, Mali, Niger, Ivory Coast, Congo, Chad, Angola, Guinea, Gabon, Tanzania , Kenya , Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tanzania, Benin
Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala
Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Argentina
Lettuce Papaya Tomato
Macizo: The Tough Tomato
This year, we introduced the Macizo hybrid tomato in Guatemala. This determinate variety is resistant to soil-borne diseases like Ralstonia and Fusarium 3 and is also nematode-resistant. Previously, farmers had to rely on rootstock plants from plant raisers to combat these diseases. Macizo simplifies farming by eliminating the need for rootstocks, reducing costs and effort for farmers. This tomato variety also produces more fruit, helping farmers increase their yields and earnings.
A New Hub in the Netherlands
Upskilling Farmers in Guatemala
We trained farmers on the use of portable meter devices to measure pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and water. Understanding pH and water hardness is crucial for effective pesticide application, while EC readings are instrumental in optimizing crop nutrition plans.
We also trained 150 growers, plant raisers and distributors on effective seedling production through a partnership with Institute for Technological Innovation in Agriculture (INTAGRI).
Solidifying our Foothold in Brazil
We teamed up with regional distributor New Agro to expand our reach in key states across Brazil. New Agro, boasting 25 years of experience in the vegetable seed market, has an estimated reach to over 50 thousand customers monthly. Their extensive market reach and geographic coverage significantly contribute to our goal of reaching and serving more farmers across Brazil.
A Nationwide Salute to all Vegetable Farmers in the Philippines
We launched a logistics hub in the Netherlands to enhance service delivery to Latin America and Africa. This hub significantly reduces delivery times by about 40 to 60 days compared to routes from Asia. Serving as a central facility for importing, exporting, and storing seeds, it supports East-West Seed's sales, supply chain, and logistics teams. With future plans to expand capabilities including packing, blending, and testing, we aim to extend our reach and provide high-quality seeds swiftly and affordably across multiple regions.
2,564 farmers
In August 2023, we celebrated the first Vegetable Farmer’s Month in the Philippines, themed "Bida Magsasaka" or "The Champion Farmer." This campaign was launched to honor the nation's smallholder vegetable farmers, spotlighting their essential role in ensuring food security in the Philippines and demonstrating our commitment to empowering the agricultural sector.
The initiative aimed to connect with a broader array of farmers across diverse regions to increase our outreach. Vegetable Farmer’s Month served as a tribute to the resilience and hard work of these farmers, many of whom have been partners of East-West Seed Philippines for over four decades.
Throughout the campaign, we highlighted the success stories of farmers who have thrived in vegetable farming. We also offered substantial discounts on seeds to reduce costs for farmers, enhancing their profitability and encouraging wider adoption of vegetable farming. Additionally, through strategic press and media features, we showcased the critical contributions of these farmers to the nation's food security.
Innovation
Our farmers grapple with numerous challenges in food production, from combating pests and diseases to navigating the complexities of climate change.
We are committed to supporting farmers in addressing these challenges through continuous innovation.
Expanding our R&D Capabilities
In 2023, we began developing two new R&D locations in India and in Guatemala.
We also completed land developments at our R&D sites in Thailand and the Philippines, expansion projects we started a few years ago. In addition, we proudly inaugurated our R&D center in Indonesia, designed with modern post-pandemic needs.
These expansions are crucial to our mission of developing vegetable varieties that meet the evolving needs of our farmers, helping them achieve better yields and improved livelihoods.
Ongoing R&D Expansions in 5 Countries
Guatemala: 85,000 m²
India: 116,000 m²
Indonesia: 4,500 m²
Philippines: 360,000 m²
Thailand: 480,000 m²
Batangas, Philippines
In 2018, we began developing a 36-hectare R&D farm in San Juan, Batangas, Philippines. This site, situated in a low-elevation area, replicates the growing conditions experienced by many smallholder farmers in the Philippines. Although the pandemic slowed progress, we marked a significant milestone in 2023 with the start of construction on major facilities, including the R&D building, 18 greenhouses, and seed storage facilities.
We invest significantly in research and development to create higher yielding, nutritious and resilient vegetable varieties. We develop seed technologies that can help farmers produce more sustainably. We are also committed to bringing new technologies closer to our farmers to help enable data-driven decision-making for improved productivity and sustainability.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
In 2019, we began the development of our 48-hectare farm in Sansai, Chiang Mai, Thailand. In 2023, we completed the construction of all key facilities including five greenhouses and seed processing facilities. The new farm is envisioned to further significantly enhance our breeding capabilities including the breeding of indigenous crops in Thailand. Additionally, the farm supports some of our seed production processes.
Innovation in the Fields:
East-West Seed Wins Prestigious Digital Agriculture Award
Our dedication to innovation in agriculture was recognized with the Thailand Technology Excellence Award for Digital Agriculture at the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2023.
Developed in partnership with Cropin, we have been implementing the digital solution SmartFarm in our seed production operations in six countries: India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
Since its introduction in 2019, SmartFarm has significantly enhanced the capabilities of our seed production farmers and field staff and the precision of our production processes. Capturing 96% of operational data in real-time, the system has bolstered transparency, efficiency, and the accuracy of our decision-making.
Aligned with our goal of improving farmers' lives through innovative solutions, we plan to further enhance SmartFarm. By leveraging the extensive historical farm management data collected over the years and integrating it with artificial intelligence, we aim to predict yields with greater accuracy.
Enhancing the Performance of our Seeds
We work hard to advance seed technology to make our seeds better for our farmers around the world.
We're constantly on the lookout for innovative ways to make our seeds stronger, healthier, and more productive to increase the income of our farmers.
Over the years, we have enhanced the performance of our seeds through various seed technologies. These technologies are available not only in our products in our home markets but also across our extensive export markets.
We will continuously seek opportunities to bring tailor-made solutions and advanced seed technology solutions to our farmers, working with both internal and external partners. Moving forward, we aim to extend these initiatives to more products across all East-West Seed locations to ensure that the benefits brought by our seed value enhancements are appreciated by more and more farmers across the globe.
Technology Description Crops Countries of Implementation
Advanced seed coating technology that provides nutrition and protection for better seedling growth and establishment
India, Philippines
These seeds have no evidence of seed-borne pathogen/ disease, providing farmers with a greater chance of producing healthy plants
India, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand
Advanced protective packaging that extends seed shelf life and protects seeds from insects
India, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam
Seed coating for better seed visibility and seedlings’ protection against pests
A brand of EWTH for tailor-made value addition on selected seed products with premium protection
A comprehensive pest control solution that targets early-season insects, both above and below ground
Kailan, Kangkong, Sweet Corn, Waxy Corn, Yard Long Bean
Sweet Corn
Beyond the Seed
We believe that our role in supporting farmers extends far beyond just providing high-quality seeds.
We are committed to enriching farmers' knowledge so they can achieve better, more sustainable crop yields. Our dedication to sustainability is a core aspect of everything we do, guiding our operations and our interactions with the communities we serve. We also encourage young people to take an active interest in agriculture.
Comprehensive
Agronomy Advisory Services for
Smallholder Farmers
High-quality seeds and the right knowledge are crucial for better yields. In 2023, we have been more intentional in strengthening our advisory capabilities, including investing in digital channels, to cater to the evolving needs of our farmers.
In-Person Agronomy Advisory
Our approach to agronomy advisory is hands-on and personalized. We understand that each farm is unique, and our services are tailored to meet these specific needs. Here are a few facets of our in-person agronomy advisory:
Full Crop Cycle Support: From soil preparation to harvesting, our experts work closely with selected farmers to identify and address challenges they are facing in production
Crop Protection: We conduct two to three field visits per cropping season to inspect for pests and diseases, providing targeted recommendations for on-field management and preventive measures
Farmer Community Training: We organize group training sessions focusing on crop production and integrated pest and disease management
“Less is More” in Tomato Planting in Myanmar
In the region of Inle Lake in Myanmar, traditional tomato farming typically involves planting three mixed-variety plants per hole. Our Myanmar team initiated a transformative trial. They introduced a one-plant-per-hole approach using the 'Princess' variety to demonstrate its benefits. This trial not only showed significant agronomic improvements but also gained acceptance among key local farmers, who have adopted this method and are now advocates within their communities. Ko Linn and Ko Toe, who have been growing tomatoes for over 20 years, adopted this practice and reported a 30-35% increase in yield with minimal farm inputs, along with a 20% rise in their profits. Scan to
Connecting Digitally
To reach more farmers, we harness digital platforms and share various guides:
01
Crop Growing Manuals:
Detailed guides on specific varieties, offering best practices for planting, cultivation, and harvesting to optimize yields.
02
Troubleshooting Guides:
Variety-specific advisories that address common challenges and provide actionable solutions to improve crop health and productivity.
Harvesting Data, Growing Solutions: Disease and Insect Pest Mapping
Our farmers face many challenges, among which battling with pests and diseases ranks significantly high.
We are dedicated to supporting farmers through these challenges. East-West Seed’s plant pathologists and entomologists have been monitoring plant diseases and insect pests affecting high-priority crops in the Philippines, Thailand, India, and Latin America. The main goal of this surveillance project is to pinpoint where certain diseases and insect pests are spreading or emerging to help identify how to prevent, manage, or control them.
We gather detailed data on crop variety, growth stages, and local conditions, which are crucial for diagnosing pest and disease impact and formulating actionable recommendations. This data is then transformed into user-friendly dashboards that support breeders in developing improved crop varieties and assist field teams in providing accurate and timely advice to farmers on effective pest and disease management.
followers and subscribers globally
50k +
farmer queries resolved through our responsive social media support
SmartAcres: Digital farmer support via WhatsApp
With the increasing integration of technology in agriculture, we launched SmartAcres in India. This multi-lingual, WhatsApp-based interactive bot delivers critical information on pest and disease control and weather forecasts. With tailored advice to growth stage and location respectively, SmartAcres is assisting farmers in making informed decisions promptly. In 2023, we served over 1,000 selected tomato and bitter gourd farmers via SmartAcres, with this number expected to grow to at least 3,000 in 2024.
farmers served in India and Nigeria
Our team in Nigeria also ran a similar farmer support portal via WhatsApp, serving 2,000 farmers across the country with agronomic and commercial advice unique to their individual needs and situations.
Our Progress:
Yard-Long Bean: In the Philippines, we found and started monitoring the Milk vetch dwarf virus (MDV). In Thailand, we did the same with the Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV). We developed screening protocols to identify sources of resistance to these viruses and are now working to breed varieties resistant to these viruses.
Corn: This year, the project team began developing a resistance screening protocol for Maize stripe virus (MSpV), a disease that has significantly impacted corn yields in the Philippines. After observing a high incidence of yellow stripe disease in 2021 and identifying MSpV in 2022, the development of this protocol is a crucial step forward.
Pepper: A high incidence of yellow leaf curl disease in pepper, caused by the Pepper yellow leaf curl Indonesia virus ( PepYLCIV), was observed in the south of Thailand in 2020. We developed a resistance screening protocol for PepYLCIV and are now implementing routine screening to support breeding for resistance to the virus.
Bitter Gourd: After observing a high incidence of leaf yellowing and leaf blight in bitter gourds in Thailand and India due to leafhopper infestation, we developed screening protocols and are now able to conduct routine screening to help identify sources of resistance and breed varieties that can withstand this insect pest.
Pumpkin: We are now conducting routine screening for Phytophthora blight (PB) resistance in pumpkins after first detecting a high incidence of this disease in the Philippines in 2017.
East-West Seed
Knowledge Transfer Foundation: Towards a More Sustainable Future
2023 was a productive year for the East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT) and the smallholder vegetable farmers we support. Our teams in ten countries managed over 20 projects, directly reaching more than 166,531 smallholder farmers through field-based training, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to operate successful ventures.
A Win for Harnessing Solar Energy
East-West Seed received the Renewable Energy Adoption Award at the ESGBusiness Awards 2023.
We have been recognized for our successful transition to green energy with our rooftop solar installations in our seed processing facilities in India, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Tanzania, and our farm irrigation in Guatemala.
This initiative has slashed our reliance on the grid by 53% across seven processing units and elevated our total solar capacity to around 2.1 megawatts. Notably, our Vietnam plant operates solely on solar power, supplying excess energy back to the government grid.
The transition to solar energy not only benefits the environment but also reduces operational costs by approximately $170,000 annually.
Key Developments:
Project Expansions We fully launched project activities in Ghana and extended the establishment of learning farms across all ten KT countries.
Organizational Development We've taken steps to strengthen our team by establishing roles focused on Sustainability, Digital, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning.
Partnerships We welcomed new partnerships to promote nutritional security and livelihoods with governments and partners from Korea, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the Philippines, and the US, as well as with private and nonprofit organizations like the Koppert Foundation and HEKS/EPER. We continued our long-standing collaboration with WUR in the Netherlands to expand our technical capacity.
Digital We increased participation in our events and deepened our engagement with farmers through social media. This focus on quality engagement will continue in the coming years.
Entrepreneurship We have incorporated business planning and financial literacy into our training curriculum to improve our farmers’ entrepreneurial skills and help increase their success in their farming ventures.
Learn more about EWS-KT's work at www.ews-kt.com
47% of participants were women of participants were youth
Taking Steps Towards Less Waste and Better Soils
Our #PlasticFreePioneerChallenge campaign in all East-West Seed offices worldwide has successfully collected 1.6 metric tons of plastic, all of which has been directed to recycling facilities. This concerted effort is a key part of our commitment to significantly reduce single-use plastic across all our offices.
Recognizing the environmental challenges posed by plastic mulch used in farming, we piloted an onsite recycling initiative in the Philippines that has transformed 50% of our plastic mulch waste into useful trellises for our farming activities.
We also educated farmers about responsible plastic waste disposal. To date, we have empowered over 5,000 farmers across our seed production countries with the knowledge and tools necessary to manage plastic waste effectively.
We're equally committed to improving soil health through crop rotation. Our farms in the Philippines and India now practice 100% crop rotation. Covering 300 hectares, this method not only enriches the soil but also supports biodiversity and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, contributing to long-term soil fertility.
To further strengthen our capabilities and be more intentional in our approach, we have welcomed Sucheta Ramprakash as our new Head of Sustainability this year. Under her leadership, we have completed a comprehensive risk assessment and are currently planning our long-term targets to advance sustainability across all our operations.
3.2 million
1.6 MT 5,000 100% 300
of plastic recycled farmers trained crop rotation implemented in our farms in India and Philippines hectares enhanced with green manuring
Simon Nanne Groot Scholarship Program: Meet our Scholars
Established in 2017 to honor East-West Seed Founder Simon Groot, the SNG Scholarship Program fosters educational growth in agriculture. It supports two groups: children of smallholder farmers pursuing agricultural science degrees and children of EWS employees pursuing degrees in agriculture, business, economics, marketing, finance, supply chain or human resources at partner universities. We collaborate with 17 universities across 8 countries in Asia and Africa.
By Purpose
At East-West Seed, purpose is our compass, driving us to make a positive impact on farmers' lives worldwide.
We nurture a supportive workplace, investing in the growth of our team and empowering them to pioneer change in the seed industry.
Tetteh Isaac Odjidja
Christian Marielle dela Cruz
Kunyawat Phonphinitvorakun
Bui Phuong Anh
Edriele Mangahas
Natthawalan Jaruwasusiri
Nguyễn Thị Thúy Loan
Ayushman Hota
Ittipon Srifawattana
Aidan Mathayo Kanyela Rahil Hamiyar Seif
New Sprouts: A Look Inside Our 2023 New-Hires' Experiences
Dr.
Kanokwan
(May)
Chodchoey Group Head, Public Affairs
Describe what you do in your role.
Dr. Kanokwan: My role is Group Head, Public affairs. help our internal stakeholders become aware of the emerging policy that can impact our operations especially on seed movement and intellectual property rights or plant variety protection. My role also helps them to understand how to connect with external stakeholders when it comes to capacity building, networking and important policy advocacy activities that we need to engage with.
What motivated you to join East-West Seed?
Dr. Kanokwan: Purely the mission of the company motivated me to join East-West Seed. The commitment from East-West Seed to improve the livelihood of farmers through innovative solutions including high quality seeds and knowledge transfer to help farmers maximize their cultivation practice for better yield and better income has brought me here
What has been your biggest learning since you joined the company?
Dr. Kanokwan: I joined the company on September 1, 2023. My biggest learning is when I visited our farms in Indonesia. It
triggered me to learn our company's values and how we shall improve the way we work together to keep our value as a farmers' best friend..
Can you share a specific project or initiative you've worked on that you're particularly proud of?
Dr. Kanokwan: The specific project that I am proud of is the project that works with the R&D, Quality team and crop planning team to help facilitate the sample movement to Thailand by collaborating with the Department of Agriculture, Thailand. So, we can pay our growers faster and get the genetic purity results faster then we can deliver our seeds in the time that our customer needs.
As you look to the future with EastWest Seed, what opportunities or goals are you most excited about pursuing?
Dr. Kanokwan: The most exciting goal or opportunity for me at the moment is to help executing the Innovative Growth System to work in one team approach and focus on our value proposition. This is so exciting for me to see how we move together to improve the way we serve our farmers through our innovative products and solutions.
Raneewan Ramsiri, General Manager, East-West Seed Thailand
Your journey has transitioned from healthcare to agriculture. What ignited this shift towards the agricultural sector?
Raneewan: I joined to broaden my exposure and understanding of this industry, which contributes significantly to humankind’s wellness. Agriculture is the sustainable backbone of Thailand, playing a crucial role in ensuring food supplies for the well-being of the population and contributing to the growth of our country.
Reflecting on your first encounter with East-West Seed, what stood out to you, and what drove your decision to become part of the team?
Raneewan: What stood out to me was EWS’ purpose-driven approach and the diversity of its team, which includes a mix of generations, nationalities, and experiences. They work passionately to provide innovative seeds and services, improving the lives of smallholder farmers despite the unique challenges and complexities of the seed business. am impressed by the company's mission and its blend of art in cultivation and science behind the seeds, which inspired me to become part of the team.
How would you describe your leadership style in three words?
Raneewan: Empowering, Inclusive and Results-Oriented
What kind of work environment do you aim to create, and how do you plan to maintain it?
Raneewan: I aim to continuously create a collaborative and great work environment for EWTH. I believe that this will not only promote inclusive teamwork and win-win situations but also drive creativity and productivity. To maintain it, we need to foster open and effective communication, promote cross-collaboration, and bring our EWS Culture Values to life, such as Nurturing—We care for each other, and Trustworthy—We operate with respect and trust.
Do you have a favorite crop that EastWest Seed Thailand offers? Why is it your favorite?
Raneewan: My favorite crop offered by EWTH is waxy corn because I personally enjoy its taste and texture. Moreover, it is one of our top-performing crops with good
feedback from farmers and customers, plus it has a strong product pipeline.
Could you share a high-level vision you have for East-West Seed Thailand?
Raneewan: My high-level vision is to lead EWTH to new heights, elevating from good to great: a great place to work, a great friend to farmers and dealers, and a great company with great and innovative seeds and services.
Behind the Seed
Meet the dedicated scientists at East-West Seed who are blending science and passion to make an impact in the lives of our farmers in this Behind the Seed video series.
We develop agronomic practices and advise farmers in person… our objective is to help farmers maximize their yield using our varieties…being part of the farmer’s crop journey, that [gives me] the most happiness in this job, especially when I see the farmer’s success using our variety.
It is where we do the most science and it’s where the future of the company really is born… It’s really cool that I get to say I breed tomatoes [for] 2 billion people.
As a plant pathologist, I get utmost fulfillment every time I see the hopeful faces of the farmers after receiving our recommendations or technical advice….being able to unveil the course of pathogen of a new emerging disease, and being able to contribute to the development of new varieties with value added traits such as disease resistances. These are the things that continue to motivate me to do more as a scientist.
East-West Seed wins second place at the 2023 Association of Tanzania Employers’ Employer of the Year Award
East-West Seed Tanzania was awarded Second Place at the 2023 Association of Tanzania Employers’ Employer of the Year Award (EYA), an event that upholds the contribution of private employers in matters related to purpose and impact on local communities, governance, human resources management, quality, innovation, diversity and inclusion.
Developing Young Seedsmen and Women
We aim to nurture the next generation of seedsmen and women through capacity-building programs. Since starting our Advanced Plant Breeding program in 2016, we have graduated 65 individuals, including 20 in 2023 from countries like Brazil, Guatemala, Indonesia, Thailand, India, and the Philippines. This program is designed for our breeders and researchers, covering advanced topics in plant breeding, genetics, and related fields, and includes a practical project at the end.
In 2023, we also launched the R&D Global SEED (Supporting Early Expertise Development) internship program. The first group of interns came from various universities, including Kasetsart University, Wageningen University, the University of St. Thomas, Chiang Mai University, Humboldt University, and the University of California, Davis. They undertook hands-on research projects at our R&D center Hortigenetics Research, Chiang Mai, Thailand, contributing to our research and development efforts.
